ELMIRA, N.Y.— Trailing by seven late in the game, the Houghton Highlanders stayed cool as the other side of the pillow, repeatedly knocking down clutch shots to eventually defeat the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 86-82, in an overtime thriller.
 
With just over 4:30 to play in the game the Highlanders hit six straight free throws to pull within a point, then, following an Elmira three, hit two more.
 
After Elmira sank a pair of their own, the Daniel Rosario show began.  Rosario nailed three consecutive long-range bombs, all with a hand in his face, while Elmira continued to answer.
 
With only seconds remaining, and Houghton trailing by two, Reece Gustafson stole the ball and found Jajuan Preaster, who drew the foul.  With the game on the line, Preaster drained both shots to tie the game and force overtime.
 
In the extra time the Soaring Eagles struck first, but Preaster again drained a pair from the line to tie the game.  Only moments later, Rosario sank an acrobatic scoop layup to put the Highlanders on top.
 
Elmira tied the game on a pair of free throws, but on the ensuing possession, David Rosa grabbed an impressive offensive board and hit the layup to put the Highlanders on top for good.
 
Rosa would ice the game with only one second left by draining a pair of free throws.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 86 | Elmira – 82 (OT)
Records: Houghton: 4-11 (3-5 Empire 8) | Elmira: 3-12 (2-6 Empire 8)
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 120
 
NOTABLE STATS
>> The Soaring Eagles outshot the Highlanders, 48%-to-40%, but also committed 26 turnovers, twice as many as Houghton (13).
 
>> Preaster turned in one of his best performances of the season, going 10-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the line for 25 points.  He also grabbed 11 rebounds and added four steals and four assists.  The double-double was his third of the season.  He has topped 20 points five times.
 
>> Rosario finished with 15 points and three steals, while Rosa added 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals. 
 
>> Luke Cole and Esafe Taufahema chipped in 12 and 10 points apiece, respectively. 
 
>> While the Highlanders have had four games this season where four players reached double-digit point totals, tonight's victory was the first time this season with five players in double-digits.
 

COACH'S CORNER
"Coach Johnson and I were talking after the game and we agreed that no matter what shots didn't fall, what mistakes we made on D, what turnovers we gave away, these guys picked themselves up and kept fighting. It's not just a word in our LIFE acronym now. It is who we are and it is why we had a chance to win this basketball game tonight. I'm blessed to coach guys like this. 

"While the spotlight is on [Jajuan's] clutch free throws and double-double, I'd like to highlight how he adjusted defensively to limit [Quintel Clements'] second chances and post touches in the second half. He is an incredibly underrated defender that came up with huge possessions for us." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Friday, when they will take on the Utica Pioneers at 7:30 p.m.